Business notebook: Cape tavern combines games, craft beer

The idea for Coin Op Cantina was born at Ragsdale's.

Coin Op co-owner Jeff Mungle said he noticed there always were people waiting in line to play the limited selection of games offered by the bar, such as Buck Hunter, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga and Family Guy pinball.

"And the thought in my head was, 'Why doesn't somebody open up a bar that has video games in it? Like old vintage ones and pinball and everything?'" Mungle said.

He sat on that idea for a while, taking on some bartending jobs over the years, thinking if he ever opened his own business, it would be the combination bar and arcade.

On April 22, Mungle's dream became a reality with the opening of Coin Op Cantina. Mungle owns the bar with business partners Latt Browne and Jason Mungle, his brother.

A patron plays skee-ball at Coin Op Cantina in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Jeff Mungle, who said he always has been a gamer, believes his business is successful thanks to the variety of beer it offers and people's desire to be social, despite the fact many have gaming consoles in their homes.

"I think a lot of people still want to go out, even though ... talking face to face with people is not a thing anymore, for the most part," he said. "I just think it's one of those things where people still come in and play games and hang out with friends and meet new people. And everybody that comes in here pretty much has a common ground, whether it's craft beer or video games or just going to a bar."

Another thing that sets Coin Op apart from other downtown watering holes is its no-smoking policy, Mungle said.

"Even being a smoker myself ... personally, I like being in an environment where I don't breathe secondhand smoke the entire time I'm somewhere," Mungle said.

Mungle sees a lot of potential for change in his business' future.

Latt Browne, left, and Jason Mungle, owners of Coin-Op Cantina in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

"I'd like to expand to a bigger spot, put in a lot more games, possibly add food," he said. "I think that's probably the No. 1 thing right now, would be adding food."

He also said he would love to rotate out games occasionally, although he said he has to work with what Lemons Coin Machines has available.

"It's just the availability on these games (is) not very good," he said. "They might have five copies of them in the warehouse, but all five of them would be missing the same part. ... Nowadays when you order something, there's no guarantees on these older machines, on the parts for them. So if they order them, they might work a day; they might not work at all ... ."

Coin Op has about 23 games, including pinball, arcade games, a PS4 and darts. It is open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday and from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday. Mungle said the bar is closed Sundays but may expand its hours when it obtains a required Sunday liquor license.

For more information, visit facebook.com/coinopcantina.

New Hampton Inn in Cape now open

Hilton Worldwide has announced the Hampton Inn by Hilton Cape Girardeau I-55 East, 207 S. Mount Auburn Road, is open.

The hotel, managed by Midamerica Hotels Corp., has 86 rooms and offers amenities such as free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour business center, free hot breakfast, 776 square feet of meeting space and an indoor pool, according to a news release from Hilton.

The hotel participates in the Hilton HHonors loyalty program. A grand-opening celebration and ribbon cutting are planned for after the holidays, Tom Dempsey, director of sales and marketing for Midamerica's hotels division, said in an email.

Sleep Number mattress store opens in Cape

A Sleep Number mattress store opened Friday at 157 Siemers Drive, Suite 108, in Cape Girardeau.

The store offers "sleep professionals" to guide customers through an interactive shopping experience to help them find their ideal comfort level for sleep, according to a news release.

The store will include features such as IndividualFit 3-D Imaging to map the body's pressure points and PillowFit to help customers find a pillow that fits their head and ensures proper neck support and shoulder alignment. Sleep Number beds are designed to allow each side to be adjusted for firmness and comfort independently.

State releases November jobs report

The Missouri Department of Economic Development said Tuesday seasonally adjusted data show the state's unemployment rate fell by three-tenths of a point in November to 4.7 percent.

That figure is lower than the national average of 5 percent and the lowest rate since April 2006, according to a news release from the department.

Missouri's nonfarm payroll employment increased by 2,200 jobs over the month, and the construction industry led November's job growth with 1,500 jobs, the release stated.

Two Cape buildings declared 'fiber ready'

AT&T has designated two Cape Girardeau buildings "fiber ready," a news release from AT&T stated.

The company has run fiber-optic cable to Auburn Park Place at 3065 William St. and Sunset Towers at 1020 N. Kingshighway.

AT&T said the "fiber ready" designation will aid in marketing space to companies wanting to locate or expand in the city.

Cape farmers win award

Jeremie and Laura Nothdurft of Cape Girardeau have won the Missouri Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award.

The Nothdurfts were recognized Dec. 8 at the annual Young Farmers and Ranchers annual breakfast for involvement with the Farm Bureau, agriculture and their community, according to a news release from the Missouri Farm Bureau.

The award includes $500 checks from the Missouri Farm Bureau Foundation and Ford Motor Co., as well as a trip to Orlando to represent Missouri at the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Contest in January.

The Nothdurfts farm 1,200 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat, along with 80 cows, with Jeremie Nothdurft's father and brother among the multiple generations on the farm.

Ribbon cuttings

• Illusions Styling Studio, 1121 E. Jackson Blvd. in Jackson, held a ribbon cutting Tuesday.
• Bening Ford, 909 S. Perryville Blvd. in Perryville, Missouri, held a ribbon cutting Thursday.

Business license

• Spectrum Reach, owned by Charter Communications Entertainment I LLC, is an advertising sales business projected to open Jan 19 at 1650 N. Kingshighway.

kwebster@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3846